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Approximately 48,000 academic workers at the University of California stopped work and began a strike on Monday. Those on strike are members of the United Auto Workers (UAW), and include postdoctoral and academic researchers, tutors, readers, and graduate student instructors and assistants.

The strike is the largest in higher ed in US history, and the largest work stoppage by UAW members since the 2019 strike by 46,000 General Motors workers.

Will Lehman, a rank-and-file worker at Mack Trucks in Pennsylvania, who is running for president of the UAW, issued the video statement above calling on UAW members and other workers to mobilize in support of the striking academic workers.

“I express my full support and solidarity with the 48,000 University of California academic workers who went on strike Monday,” Lehman said. “I will do everything in my power to make your struggle known among UAW members and other workers across the country and internationally, and to mobilize the support of the working class behind you.

“You have taken a courageous stand against the powerful corporate and political forces that run the University of California system—and your struggle deserves the broadest support from all workers and youth.”

To learn more about Lehman’s campaign for UAW president, visit WillForUAWPresident.org.